Why are other people more attractive than others? What does “attractiveness” even mean? According to psychiatrist Fredric Neuman, being attractive is not only about having a beautiful face or body, it’s something much more complex.

What is attractive to you might not be considered as attractive by someone else. This is especially valid when it comes to what men and women find alluring. According to science, there are few objects that women use that surprisingly make them more attractive to men. Keep reading to find out what items have the undeniable power to attract men and make them unable to take their eyes off the ladies!

1 High heels

We are not in the least surprised by the fact that high heels are considered attractive. Numerous scientifical studies suggested there’s a strong connection between high heels and women’s sexuality.

According to a 2013 study, wearing heels modifies a person’s gait, reducing the distance between steps and increasing the “rotation and tilt of the hips.” This hip movement is also what makes men feel more attracted to women in high heels. During the study, men were shown women wearing high heels and flat shoes and asked to rate their level of attractiveness. Needless to say, heel-wearing women were considered “significantly more attractive.”

Guys, you might like to see women in high heels, but according to a 2014 research conducted by the American Podiatric Medical Association, heels are the main culprit for foot pain in women. More than that, it has been revealed that of the 50 percent of women who reported wearing heels, almost all of them complained about the pain.

2 Books

Believe it or not, smart is sexy. According to a study by EliteSingles, 85 percent of the single people believe individuals who read are “more appealing” than those who have never opened a book in their lives. In another study by the same dating site in collaboration with Westwing, 26 percent of men and women participants admitted that a “well-stocked bookshelf” is the most thing they could ever find at their date’s house. Among the most attractive books to read and own, both men and women listed To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, while men also included erotic genres in their top five preferences.

But why does reading make you more appealing to others? According to psychologist Salama Marine, reading allows you to discuss all sorts of subjects, have opinions and constantly learn new things. She adds ‘’also, your taste in books can highlight aspects of your personality: are you curious, romantic, dreamy? By sharing your tastes, you can show and share your inner world.’’

3 A sundress

Women like wearing sundresses to show off their femininity and elegance. Not to mention that “dresses are almost always looser and less constricting than pants or a skirt,” says Whitney May, an architecture and design assistant at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. “When it’s this hot, I don’t wear anything else,” adds Colleen Sherin, fashion director of Saks Fifth Avenue. “[Sundresses] always make you look pulled together. That’s what makes them such a success.”

Something else that makes sundresses a “success” is the way men look at them. Most heterosexual men involved in a survey by Glamour magazine, admitted to feeling attracted to women wearing sundresses, praising the way this type of attire compliments women’s figures. “Sundresses are sexy because they are effortless and give off a girl-next-door vibe,” 35-year-old Penn told Glamour. “It’s as simple as this: silhouette and movement,” 31-year-old Kwasi added.

4 Pretty much anything sleeveless

It’s all about the arms, baby! At least that’s what science says when it comes to body parts that men find attractive in women. A 2010 study found that “taller women who had longer arms were strongly preferred.” More than that, “slender arms” were also seen as “highly attractive.” No wonder men love women in sundresses!

Another study carried out by researchers at the University of Missouri, Kansas City, revealed that thin women with toned, shapely arms are seen as more attractive than thin women. Of course, the waist-to-hip ratio is still important, but, according to the study’s lead author,  Frances Bozsik, the ideal female body has changed from thin to thin plus muscularity, something that for some men is an indication that the woman takes care of herself, is strong and independent. Think Kate Hudson, Jennifer Aniston or Michelle Obama and their nicely shaped arms!

5 Perfume

They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but what about in their nose or ears? It might sound weird but according to an experiment conducted in 2017, our sense of smell can have a significant impact on how attractive we see other people. Researchers discovered that the human nose has a very important role in evaluating things such as someone’s health, diet, age, even fertility and personality. The study authors also revealed that the nose recognizes the odor of other family members, which “may be important in mate choice in order to avoid inbreeding.”

While natural scent makes it easier for your nose to assess a person, there’s one thing that will immediately make you feel more attracted to that person: perfume. According to Avery Gilbert, a sensory psychologist, not just any perfume will do the trick. As it turns out, men are more attracted to fruity scents and feel more aroused when smelling edible odors. Well, now you know!

6 Red clothes

Ahh, the lady in red! There’s nothing that catches the eye more than a woman wearing red, maybe because this color is strongly linked to sexuality and desire. Surprisingly, women don’t even have to wear red clothes to be considered attractive. According to a study carried out by researchers in Germany young women who were placed in front of a red background were found “more sexually attractive” than the ones seated against a white background. Without realizing, most men chose the women with the red background.

There’s really no clear explanation for this preference. After conducting her own research, Sarah E. Johns, an evolutionary anthropology professor at the School of Anthropology and Conservation at the University of Kent in the UK concluded that “maybe men are more competitive about women in red and therefore desire them more”. It might also be the fact that red is the universal color of love, and everyone wants to love and be loved, right?

7 Makeup

As far as makeup goes, it’s pretty clear women love it.  After all, it’s not without reason that the beauty industry’s worth has been estimated at about $532 billion in 2020, and is on an upward trajectory, unlike other industries affected by the coronavirus crisis. This only goes to show that not even a pandemic can keep a woman away from her makeup kit.

But what do men think about women using makeup? Well, during an experiment conducted by psychologists at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, participants were given photos of women wearing three styles of makeup: minimal, moderate, and dramatic. All three types of makeup received good ratings in terms of attractiveness, as well as likability, competence, and trustworthiness. However, when participants looked at the images a little bit longer than the first time, they still considered women in the photos attractive and competent and less likable and trustworthy. The reason? To quote the study’s lead author, Nancy Etcoff, “makeup is a powerful but understudied tool”.

Another study on this issue, published in the Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology, revealed that both male and female participants found women with discrete makeup to be more attractive. The takeaway? Take it easier with the face contouring!

8 A bodycon dress

Nothing spells sensual and sexy than a bodycon dress. Men would certainly agree, according to a 2009 study, which surprisingly revealed that a woman’s hip-to-waist ratio is considered more seductive and enticing than the size of her breasts. Male participants agreed that women with “an hourglass shape and a slim waist” are the most alluring, regardless of their breast size. It seems men appreciate contouring after all, just not on women’s faces.

Luckily for men, ladies are not yet fed up with the contour dress trend, so they’ll still be seeing plenty of contoured bodies, at least for a while. The good thing about bodycon dresses is that women of any size, not only women with slim waists, can look amazing in these attires.

You might also like 8 Quirky Things Americans Consider Attractive, but Others Hate.

9 A hair tie

As numerous scientifical studies revealed, men prefer women with longer hair. But what’s with the hair tie, then? Well, based on findings of a study conducted by Pantene, it’s not the length of the hair but what women can do with it, that attracts men. In addition, 87 percent of the men surveyed admitted that hair is extremely important when it comes to a woman’s overall appearance.

According to professional matchmaker Steve Ward, a woman with a loose bun or a tousled braid seems easy going, laid back and comfortable in her own shoes. More than that, a bun allows a better view of the woman’s face, neck, and collarbone, which men also find attractive. The thing women use to tie their hair in all these “inviting” styles? A hair tie!

10 Something black

Color red and bodycon dresses aren’t the only fashion items men prefer when it comes to women. As revealed by a survey conducted by The Express Tribune, men also believe that women who wear classic black dresses are equally attractive and alluring. It seems women can’t go wrong with a figure-hugging little black dress!

According to another survey by the UK company Buy T-Shirts Online which involved one thousand participants, black is associated with “death, gloom, and forest gateaux” but a woman wearing a black dress is seen as “a powerful performer in the eyes of the public, who see it as a serious, reliable and solid player, ideal for interviews and first dates.” In addition, more than fifty percent of participants claimed they also associate black with confidence.

In another study conducted in 2010 by researchers at the University of Liverpool in the UK and Charles University in the Czech Republic, red and black were the only colors that men associated with attractiveness and sensuality. So, there you have it: black is sexy!

11 Golf clubs

I’m sure you’re wondering why in the world would golf clubs be sexy? After all, how could you not? Well, it turns out that men actually feel attracted to women who own a set of clubs, play golf or watch golf competitions. I guess this is one of the reasons men go on mini-golf dates.

According to the online dating site, Coffee Meets Bagel, more than seventy percent of the 68,000 people surveyed admitted that they find women who own golf clubs or play golf more desirable and attractive, compared to those who don’t like this sport. On the other hand, golf didn’t make the cut when it came to female participants who reported that they feel more attracted to men who either watch or play football. What do you think? Tom Brady or Tiger Woods?

12 A pair of shades

I think we all agree that sunglasses add flair and personality to an outfit, making you look cool. That might be exactly why men also feel more attracted to women who wear shades. According to Vanessa Brown, a professor of art and design at Nottingham Trent University in the UK, sunglasses not only protect someone’s eyes from the sun but they also make their features seem more proportional and balanced, and science says facial symmetry is attractive.

Apart from facial symmetry, sunglasses also add a touch of mystery to their owner. The eyes are considered the windows to the soul, so when someone cannot look into your eyes, it’s like you’re keeping something from them. This makes them even more curious to find out more and discover who you truly are.

13 …And regular eyeglasses

Eyeglasses might not give women the same mysterious vibes, but, if you ask men, they are still among the items that could enhance their attractiveness. Obviously, not every style of eyewear is appealing to them. Researchers at the University of Vienna in Austria found that women wearing full-rim glasses were considered less attractive but more intelligent than women without glasses. In terms of attractiveness, faces with rimless glasses scored the same points as faces with rimmed glasses.

The thing with sunglasses is that what’s trendy today might not be hot tomorrow, so, it’s really a matter of personal style. If you like the way you look with a certain type of glasses, be sure others will notice it too.